That's how I casserole...

So this morning I was feeling funky. You know those blah days when nothing sounds good. I thought getting out in this beautiful weather (77°F) would help. I picked up a ton of work from my boss and I figured I'd sit outside Starbuck's and start working on things. Three hours on a hard wooden chair designed by Satan himself put me in an even worse mood. My assbone was not happy.

I went home, made this casserole, ate it sitting on soft cushy chair and all was right with the world again. There is nothing golden gooey cheese can not cure. Well gooey cheese and a happy assbone.


Shelly's Italian Baked Cabbage

1 head Cabbage, cooked & chopped
1 Yellow Onion, diced
3 Green Onions, diced
3 cloves Garlic, minced
4 large Mushrooms, sliced
1/2 a package of Ground Turkey
1/2 cup Marinara Sauce
1/2 cup storebought Alfredo Sauce
1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasonings
1 Tablespoon Basil, chopped
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
a few twists of Black Pepper
2 Tablespoons Parmesan Cheese, grated
2 slices Provolone Cheese
Olive oil for sauteing

Cook cabbage, drain, chop. Set aside. Saute onions and mushrooms till golden. Add garlic cook 1 more minute. Add to cabbage. Saute turkey till no pink is seen. Add cabbage, onions mixture and remaining ingredients (except provolone) to pan and mix till combined. Pour into a Pyrex casserole dish and top with provolone cheese. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes till bubbly and golden.

More Eggface casseroles:

Shelly's Philly Cheese Steak Casserole
Shelly's Chicken Carbonara Casserole
Shelly's Zucchini Roll-ups (aka Pasta-less Manicotti)
Shelly's Grilled Veggie Lasagna
Shelly's Basil Primavera Casserole
Shelly's Mediterranean Baked Shrimp
Shelly's Double Dip Chicken Casserole
Shelly's Chicken Dijon Casserole
Shelly's Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Shelly's Italian Chicken Casserole
Shelly's Mexican Beef & Bean Bake
Shelly's Wine Country Chicken Casserole

Want more... just type casserole in the Eggface Search Engine <-- under my Before & After pictures.

Post Weight Loss Surgery Menus: A day in my pouch

I think one of the most important things you can do as a weight loss surgery post-op is Plan Menus. This is what I ate yesterday...

Breakfast: Had some of the Turtle Protein Dip I made with Sliced Apples and Bananas. About 1/3 of what is pictured. Between the protein in the dip and the fiber in the apples I didn't think about food all morning. Always a good thing.


Lunch: I made a modified version based on what I had on hand of my Italian Bean Salad


Shelly's Italian Bean Salad (Lemony Tuna version)

1 can (15 oz.) Cannelini beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup fresh Mozzarella balls
1 can Tuna Fillets, packed in Olive Oil, drained (I use Roland Ventresca Tuna Fillets)
1 whole Cucumber, diced
1/2 cup Grape Tomatoes, halved
1 Green Onion, diced
1 Tablespoon fresh Basil, chopped
a few twists of freshly ground Black Pepper
Kosher Salt to taste

Lemon Vinaigrette: 1 part Lemon Olive Oil to 1 part Orange Muscat Champagne Vinegar (any fruity vinegar will do). I use this to whiz it up.

Combine all ingredients and chill. Also great with leftover grilled chicken breast, shrimp, salmon or smoked albacore to bump up the protein. Can be spooned on top of a green salad or made into a tortilla wrap. My favorite way to eat it is just as it is out of my super cool bento box while staring at the mighty blue Pacific Ocean's crashing waves alas yesterday I had to settle for a bowl while staring at my computer screen. Damn those ever-rising bills that need to be paid.

Dinner: Now you guys sitting in the deep freeze are gonna kill me for this one.


But hey... the house across the street is for sale still. Come be my neighbor.

It was actually 81°F in my 'hood. January. Insane. Anyway... so for dinner I bacon-wrapped some shrimp, skewered them and threw them on the BBQ for a few minutes. Right before they were done I basted them with a little BBQ sauce. Not a ton just a taste and served them with sauteed Zucchini and Onions (Calabacitas style)


Snacks: Those addictive Roasted Chick Peas, a Protein Smoothie (I'll post the recipe this week... err maybe... I think I took a pic) and oodles & oodles of Coffee.

Hope everyone has a GREAT weekend. Plan your meals. Seriously it helps. Days I don't plan I consume waaaaay more calories.

Turtle Dip & Some Lovin'

Chocolate, caramel, pecans like those Turtle candies. Soooo good. Makes a great breakfast or afternoon protein-packed snack. I had it for breakfast early this AM and still feel full and satisfied.


Shelly's Turtle Protein Dip

3 oz. Fage Greek Yogurt (I use 2%)
2 Tablespoons Sugar Free Caramel Sauce Topping (Smucker's)
1 scoop Chocolate Protein Powder
1-2 Tablespoons Pecans, chopped

Mix together till thoroughly combined. Serve with banana slices, strawberries, apple slices, protein cake cubes for dipping. If you are early on... skip the pecans.


It really makes a difference when you actually love the protein powder supplements you use. I can seriously stick my finger in mine and lick it it's that good. I know some of you have given up on protein supplements... I did too, as soon as I was able to get all my recommended protein grams in from food. I was just so sick of choking down gnarly protein shakes and spending oodles of $$ on tubs of vileness some of which I wouldn't mix up for my worst enemy. Then at around 8 months I had a month long scale stall and was told I needed to up the protein. Oh. GOD. NO! Reluctantly (umm more like kicking & screaming) I went to my local nutrition store and well **insert hallelujah angel chorus** I found SEI's Max/Ultimate Protein and my post weight loss surgery life got 150% better.

Just so you know... I AM NOT BEING PAID FOR THESE STATEMENTS OF LOVE. Though... come to think of it. Hey SEI: I will gladly except most major credit cards and cold hard cash ;)

Seriously. It is good stuff. Happy to have found it and let all my post-op peeps know they don't have to suffer. They need to make sample packs. If you were in my 'hood I'd gladly make you up a shake or share a bowl of protein ice cream. Maybe grab a post-op pal and go in on a tub together the first time. Warning: you'll be hooked.

I know you were hoping by the blog title for some hot, sweaty & breathless sex story. Damn it I was too ;)

Lunch & Leftovers

Yesterday's lunch...

Shelly's Sausage & Pepper Skewers - Chicken Basil Italian Sausage sliced & sauteed till golden, roasted Red Onion and Yellow & Red Bell Peppers skewered and Marinara sprinkled with Parmesan for dipping.

Repurposing: Transforming leftovers into something equally as yummy. The goal is for them to taste & look so completely different you don't realize you are having leftovers.

Leftovers "repurposed" into lunch today...

Shelly's Sausage & Pepper Tortilla Pizza - Mission Carb Balance Whole Wheat Fajita Size Tortilla topped with Provolone Cheese, Marinara Sauce, roasted Red Onion and Yellow & Red Bell Peppers, sauteed Sausage, a sprinkle of Parmesan Cheese and Italian Seasonings.

Soooo when someone says, "Well you know if you have weight loss surgery you'll never be able to eat good food again." You tell them to come see me ;)